St. Augustine Seminary in Bay St. Louis celebrating 100 years
Bay St. Louis, Miss. Apr. 28, 2023 –St. Augustine Seminary in Bay St. Louis is proud to announce its 100th anniversary celebration, coming up on October 28th and 29th.
St. Augustine is the first seminary in the United States dedicated to training Black priests.
The seminary was founded on September 16th, 1923, training hundreds of priests from many countries who have served in various parts of the United States and beyond.
The days of celebration will offer fun for the family and a chance to celebrate mass that Sunday.
Festivities will include an Open House on Saturday, Oct. 28th on the Seminary grounds. Guests will enjoy live entertainment by Gospel, Jazz and Spiritual groups from in-and-around the areas of New Orleans and Mississippi. Feel free to tour the beautifully landscaped grounds with majestic oak trees, many over 200 years old. There will be a very interesting and educational Historic Exhibit set up for all to see in the main Chapel, which itself is quite beautiful inside. With multiple food trucks, and TWO Raffles offering a $5,000 cash prize to each winner, it should be a fun day for all.
On Sunday the 29th, a Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Terry Steib, S.V.D. Emeritus, who was ordained at St. Augustine in 1967. The homily will be delivered by the Very Reverend Budi Paulus Kleden, SVD Superior General of the Society of the Divine Word (Divine Word Missionaries).
Prior to the Mass on Sunday, a Jazz Band Procession will begin at St. Rose de Lima Catholic Church (301 S. Necaise Ave. Bay St. Louis) at 8:45 am and will proceed by foot to St. Augustine Seminary reenacting the first procession that was held in 1923. They will be accompanied by the Knights of St. Peter Claver, the Ladies Auxiliary, and the Knights of Columbus from many surrounding cities, This Mass is scheduled for 10:00 am on the Main Stage at St. Augustine Chapel.
Noted historian: Cyprian Davis in his book; “Black Catholics in the United States” said, “Certainly, the establishment of a seminary for African American students by members of the Society of the Divine Word was one of the most important events in the history of black Catholics during the first part of the twentieth century”.
St. Augustine Seminary invites all friends, alumni, parishioners and supporters to join in the celebration of this significant milestone. For more information about the celebration and how to participate, please visit the seminary’s website at https://divineword-uss.org. A full event schedule will be posted there once details are finalized. You can also reach their office: 228-467-4322 with any questions.
